A Russian's take on the current Ukraine crisis.

I would say madness can be defined as taking on a fight that does not, and should not, involve you but could result in serious harm to yourself. Take Ukraine, the US had no business undermining the former government and then pushing the new government into open confrontation against the pro-Russian populace, and perhaps getting us into a war with Russia -- something presidents before Obama avoided at all costs.

Economically I wonder how many people realize what this guy says about what would happen if the dollar was phased out by BRIC nations and their allies as the reserve currency. Would not be good for the economy of the USA.

On a Russian comedy show I recently saw they had a skit about a quiz show.
They were asking several funny questions and answers.
The last one was what is the name of the easternmost city in Russia.
the contestants answer Putin!
The host says right!, Putin is always right!

a reply to: edward777

People say Afghanistan is where Empires go to die. That country has been occupied many times but never subjugated.

Neither has Russia.

9 time zones

To say that the BRICS poses a threat to the US or western economy is not quite correct . The western economies have been in decline for some time now .TPTB (Bankers) have played the system to it's near end .This had nothing to do with BRICS but some other countries have seen the writing on the wall and have created a alternative economic system to stay off the collapse of the west . The west wanted to throw Ukraine under the bus and contain Russia who will play a very big part in the BRICS ability to not fall into a fascist dictatorship that the west is heading to . There is a good chance that Germany , France and possibility even Britain will be moving out of the EU sphere of influence .

We read about the horror propaganda machine that was part of Russia of old days but the western machine is more horrific .The latest is the war on ISIS . Just look at the list . Imagine that the US does not want Iran but I see North Korea on the list as well as other countries that has to make you scratch your head .Unless it's a plan to block Russia ,Iran ,and Syria to be a player in the new monetary system . I could rant on this for too long so I will just leave it at that . a reply to: edward777

a reply to: intrptr


Sweden was once a big empire -- then it attacked Russia.

Napoleon had it all -- then he attacked Russia.

Hitler had Europe on its knees -- then he attacked Russia

The Obama administration should look closely at history.

originally posted by: edward777
a reply to: intrptr


Sweden was once a big empire -- then it attacked Russia.

Napoleon had it all -- then he attacked Russia.

Hitler had Europe on its knees -- then he attacked Russia

The Obama administration should look closely at history.

Sweden was what?

From all the world's greatest nation's the world has ever seen, from Alexander to Genghis Khan, to Hitler, from the Romans, Ottomans, Greeks, to the Portuguese or the Spanish, English or the Mongols or all the Caliphates, be it from Trade or through the force of arms... really? Sweden is nothing compared to them.

What Sweden... that joke looses its value when you speak of Sweden. Actually... I just heard History laughing a bit. Come on.

a reply to: FraternitasSaturni

He is right that Sweden at it's peak when it held all nordic countries and the baltic countries and nothern Germany and part of Poland and eastern part of what today is Russia lost all to Russia by trying to hard.

Russia fought the Northern War with Sweden in an attempt to gain access to the Baltic Sea and to regain control over the lands of North Western Russia, which were lost in 1613. The first Battle of Narva (1700) proved to be a massive disaster for the Russian forces of Peter the Great. In response the Russian Tsar reorganized his army, built the Baltic fleet and by the end of 1701 had turned the tide of the war as Russia began to dominate the Swedes.

In October 1702 the Russians took the fortress of Noteburg(Oreshek) on the upper Neva River, then in 1703 another fort - Nienchanz (within the city limits of modern St. Petersburg). In May 1703 St Petersburg was founded. The Peter and Paul fortress was built with the express purpose of defending the Neva delta from possible Swedish attacks. Meanwhile, the Swedes had defeated Russia's allies (Denmark, Saxony and Poland), and in 1708 the Swedish army of King Charles XII invaded Russia. Despite the obvious strength of the Swedes they were heavily defeated in 1709 at the Battle of Poltava(Pultava).

The wounded Swedish king managed to escape, but died before the end of the war. Between 1710 and 1718 the Russians captured Vyborg, Riga, Revel (now Tallinn) and most of Finland. After several Russian naval victories, at Gangut (1714), Esel (1719) and Grengam (1720), and an invasion of Sweden, the Nistadt Peace Treaty was signed in 1721. The Swedes lost control over the Baltic and the Russians could keep their newly gained lands and new capital city – St. Petersburg.

Seems half of Sweden army was lost to attrition before the Battle of Poltava and if they had not been the would have been more evenly matched with 60000 against 75,000. The fact that Russians got the rebellion of Don Cossacks, known as Bulavin Rebellion under control did probably not help either.

Losing extreme amount of troops in Russia due to cold weather. History do repeat itself it seems. Seems Hitler repeated the same thing.